The relationship between income and food insecurity : the role of social support in rural and urban Oregonians

Abstract:

Millions of U.S. households experienced hunger in 2005 and millions more
experienced food insecurity. Previous research indicates that low-wage work and little
social support contribute to food insecurity. Research also suggests that individuals
cope by finding alternate food sources and drawing on social support. Further,
researchers have found that rural residents face difficulties that many urbanites do not,
including lack of living-wage jobs, transportation, and nutrition assistance. However,
rural dwellers may possess support they can leverage in difficult times. This study
used mixed methods (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) to examine whether social
support moderates the relationship between income and food insecurity and whether
place of residence affects social support. First, a mail survey was conducted with a
stratified random sample of Oregonians (n=343, 34.4% response rate). Subsequently,
qualitative interviews (n = 25) were conducted with low-income or food insecure
survey respondents to provide insight into these issues. Quantitative results indicate
that lower income respondents were more likely to experience food insecurity. In
general, social support did not moderate the relationship between income and food
insecurity. When income was categorized using poverty guidelines, however, results
suggested that emotional support, social network support, and organization
membership may moderate this relationship. Specifically, respondents with incomes of
≤$19,999 were less likely to experience food insecurity in the presence of this support.
However, small sample sizes in the ≤$19,999 income category resulted in unstable
estimates of odds ratios (e.g., 4136.79). When income was recategorized to remedy
this, the moderation disappeared. Additionally, place of residence had a significant
association with only one social support measure, social network density. Rural
respondents had less dense social networks than urban respondents. Place of residence
was not a significant predictor of amount of social support via multivariate analysis.
Several food insecurity contributors emerged from the qualitative study phase
including ill health, unemployment, and having other expenses. Participants cited
coping strategies such as use of alternate food sources, use of nutrition assistance, and
drawing on social support. Although few significant quantitative results were found,
qualitative findings suggest that developing nutrition interventions that build social
support may lead to reduced food insecurity.